Israel Frees Palestinian Prisoners

by Dave Keating | December 15, 2008 at 04:16 am

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Israel has gone ahead with its promised release of 200 Palestinian prisoners today, part of a move to try to shore up the position of Palestinian president Abbas. However even as Israel releases the prisoners, the country arrested 17 Palestinians in the West Bank today

Israel has begun the release of more than 200 imprisoned Palestinians as a gesture of support towards Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president.

Most of those being released were affliated with Abbas' Fatah party.

After a last-minute legal snag, the men began arriving just after noon (10:00 GMT) at the West Bank's Beitunia checkpoint.

They were also expected at the Erez crossing, for those from the Gaza Strip.